Gurner unveils plans for $350m landmark Collingwood development

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Luxury property developer Gurner has unveiled its proposed design for its latest landmark development, a 5,100sqm prime site that stretches almost 200m along Wellington Street from Victoria Parade in Collingwood, which encompasses an entire neighbourhood block in one of the City of Yarra’s most substantial urban regeneration precincts.

Since acquiring the site mid-last year, Gurner has appointed world-leading architecture firm, Koichi Takada, to design a scheme for the site that would deliver something “iconic to the area that connects the culture of Collingwood with the elegance of East Melbourne”, and has been working closely with Council officers to work through elements of the design to ensure a collaborative process over an eight month period.

The site, which represents one of the largest development sites remaining this close to the CBD, boasts a dual frontage of almost 200m in length, representing over $350million in value when complete.

The design, which was first submitted to Council back in October 2016, encompasses 383 dwellings spread over a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and townhomes, along with over 1700sqm of flexible commercial/office space, a restaurant tenancy housed within the existing former John Franklin Hotel heritage façade and a further 1290sqm of retail space at ground level.

The lower form of the building has been designed to connect it with the urban context of Collingwood’s industrial past while the upper levels have been inspired by ancient terrace gardens, with a unique built form encased in greenery which forms a mirrored peak at each corner of the site, flowing organically into a central pool and amenity area at the centre, designed to mimic the shape of a natural lagoon at the base of a valley.

The area has been earmarked for significant urban regeneration, with CBUS Property recently gaining approval for a 14-level scheme adjacent to the site, and Grocon also recently gaining approval for a 14 level office building, being the equivalent of 19-level residential site directly opposite GURNER™’s development.

The proposal also includes 279 bicycle parking spaces for residents and employees, as well as the equivalent of one car space per apartment.

Due to the significance of the site, GURNER™ founder and director, Tim Gurner said the developer had been liaising closely with Council officers and their external urban design experts, addressing a number of initial concerns around height and massing in preliminary meetings, in order to amend the final design scheme to ensure that “everyone could be really proud of what we are creating.”

“We first met with council in August last year before submitting in October 2016 and have been working incredibly closely with them since then to ensure our building is in line with the expectations of the area and respectful to the surroundings.

“Based on their feedback we then made substantial changes to the original design to reduce the massing and height, which will result in a smaller number of apartments to reflect these changes.

‘We are currently in discussions with local neighbours and continue to talk with Council officers to ensure we can implement any further changes required to satisfy their needs before submitting our final amended plans in the process.

“The resulting design is one we are really proud of, with a great product mix that will deliver not only much-needed attainable housing options but everything right up to luxury three and four-bedroom offerings and some unique terrace-style homes at the north side of the site.

“We are very keen to continue to work closely with Council and listen to any community comments before finalising our amended scheme for approval’.

“We then hope to be in a position to obtain a permit later this year with the aim to be on market mid-2018,” he said.

Part of the site is currently occupied by T2 Tea and the development will be staged to work around their current tenancy if required.

Gurner said Collingwood and Fitzroy remained one of his favourite areas for development and would continue to form an integral part of his portfolio moving forwards.

“Collingwood and in particular the Foy and Gibson precinct is one of my favourite areas in Melbourne. The suburb’s industrial past has an amazing New York Meatpackers vibe that I really love and we have had amazing success there over the years and we know this will continue into the future.

“Seven years ago when I purchased my first site here, people called me crazy for investing in this area, but fast forward to today and this will be our 10th building in the historic Foy and Gibson precinct which is now one of the most in-demand pockets of Melbourne.

“This building will be designed to pay homage to the gritty urban culture that is so loved in Collingwood, while juxtaposing it with a contemporary, luxury approach to residential design.

“Similar in nature to what the Meatpacking district brings to New York, we will be looking to this world-class regeneration precinct for inspiration to deliver a new level of amenity and design excellence to the area,” he said.

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